Homily
for the Ascension of Our Lord Year B: Fr .Michael Ufok Udoekpo
- · Acts 1:1-11;
- · Ps 47:2-3, 6-9;
- · Eph 1:17-23
- · Mark 16:15-20
Be
lifted up and Make known the Gospel
In
different parts of the world, including the ecclesiastical Provinces of Boston,
Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha and Philadelphia here in the States, the
Solemnity of Ascension was celebrated on Thursday after the Sixth Sunday of
Easter. In other places including the Archdiocese (Milwaukee),
Ascension is celebrated today, the Seventh Sunday of Easter.
Ascension
celebrates in a sense the Paschal mysteries of Christ (recall his
birth-ministry-passion-death-resurrection and Ascension), and the continuity in
the church of the mission begun by Christ her founder. Remember, during the Passion Week, it was
evident that the death of Christ was never going to be a defeat, but a victory,
an exaltation, a glorification and a lifting up of the Son of Man, “when I am
lifted up from the earth I will draw everyone to myself,” ( John 12:32).
On
the Cross, he rose above the pettiness of those who had anything to do with His
persecution. He drew to himself the Jews, the Gentiles, men and women,
including, the Roman soldiers, the Beloved Disciples, Nicodemus and Joseph of
Arimathea, everyone was at the foot of the Cross. With his resurrection
and appearances many also including the doubting Thomas came to belief in
Christ and finally was able to say, My Lord and My God.”
The
readings of today continue to testify to God’s work in Christ Jesus. In
Marks account of the Ascension after Jesus had chatted with his friends and the
disciples about faith and continuous spreading of the gospel to all parts of
the world fearlessly Jesus, “was lifted up into heaven” where he took his seat
at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19). Luke who expanded on Mark presents the
same testimony in his second volume, the first reading, Acts of the Apostles
(1:1-11) confirmed by Paul in the Second reading in Eph 1:17-23. It is the story of God’s plan of salvation
rooted in the story Israel and continue in the Church as witnessed by the
Apostles.
In
all these God’ plan is at work. He seated Jesus at his right hand to watch over
us; to judge the living and the dead. From there he sends us the Holy Spirit,
the spirit of truth, the Spirit of mission, the spirit of Evangelization.
Even after the Ascension, the end of today’s Gospel says, “they went forth and
preached everywhere while the Lord worked with them and confirm the word
through accompanying signs.”
God
never disappoint anyone who trust in Him. He continues to be at work in
us. When we are down he is prepared to lift us up. When we are discouraged he
is there to offer us courage. The mission he commissions us today “go out to
the whole world and proclaim the gospel,” is not measured by distance. It is
measured by faith. There is mission to be done in this parish/school and
residence home/families. It is measured by hope. It is measured by love. It is
measured by the way we imitate Christ, his principles and values, in every
circumstances of life.
We
are called to be missionaries even onto ourselves, to our children, to our
spouses, friends, families and next door neighbors. We are called to preach,
pray for and lift out our children and friends out of drug abuse? With his
Ascension we are called to transcend faithlessness and continue to pray for our
nations to recognize more and more the place of God in our lives, in our politics
and homes.
I
was so impressed and up lifted yesterday when a friend of mine in New York,
actually called from Arizona asking for prayer for his brother, whom he believe
was in a very dark and bad place (state of life)... After listening I offered
few words of encouragement and upliftment to the family.
Although
Christ has departs, today’s solemnity reminds us that Christ still remains
with us in the tabernacle, in the Holy Eucharist, in kinds words we share with
our neighbors. He is with us in the passages of the Scripture. He is with
us in our schools, in our studies, offices, work places and where we live (here
in this residence home). He says, in Matthew 28:19-20 “I am with you
always, until the end of the time.” He
is with us in the Church. The story began in the Gospels continue in the Acts
of the Apostles and in Pauline writings, including Ephesians today’s second
reading and the alternate one, Letter to the Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23.
As
Christ was lifted up, let us pray at this Mass that we be lifted up in Spirit
to be able to lift up others, especially the poor, the sick and the needy. May
we in this changing world continue to believe and make known the Good
News of Christ, in our words and actions, in our homes, families and in every
situation in life we may find ourselves!
Reflection Question:
- 1. In the light of today’s scriptures what is the spiritual meaning of Ascension for you?
- 2. Though Christ has ascended do you see the call to continuity of his mission in the life of the church today?
- 3. How do you drive home in our despaired neighbors, the hope that Christ is watching over his Church, he is present, and that we are called to continue his mission.?
